Interchangeable backpack straps

ABSTRACT

A personal luggage item interchangeable strap having multiple releasable ends including a squeezable clip inserted into a clip receiver and a padded interior center strap section and a customizable exterior center strap section. The customizable exterior center strap section includes straps of different colors, fabrics of different textures, image display areas and replicas of sporting good items of interest.

This application claims the benefit of and claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/358,941 filed Jul. 6, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to backpack straps that are interchangeable with other backpack straps. The straps have double sided clips or snaps permitting attachment and detachment of the straps to a backpack or other luggage item. The interchangeability of the straps is advantageous because present backpack straps that are not interchangeable become worn or may need to be replaced. For prior art backpack straps that are not interchangeable, the entire backpack must be replaced when the straps are damaged, worn or become unsightly.

An additional advantage of the interchangeable strap is that straps of different colors may be swapped out according to the use or user of the backpack. For example, the user may insert team colors of backpack straps of backpack straps having names or logos or advertisements depending on the setting. Advertisements, event venues and the like may be the presented via the interchangeable straps.

The straps may be made of vinyl, leather or other suitable material. The strap portion may be made of nylon webbing of any suitable material. The straps may also include a padded area that may be shaped in a manner to identify the strap or backpack with a particular source. The padded area maybe made of a variety of cushioning materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and photographs.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an interchangeable backpack strap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a backpack equipped to receive an interchangeable strap according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts an interchangeable backpack strap including a logo area according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts multiple interchangeable backpack straps including various items representations according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before undertaking the detailed description below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in connection to the disclosed exemplary embodiments: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

Although the subject matter of this application has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments. This general processes and systems described herein may be modified heavily depending on a number of factors, with rearrangement and/or addition/deletion of steps anticipated by the scope of the present disclosure. Integration of this and other preferred exemplary embodiment methods in conjunction with a variety of preferred exemplary embodiment systems described herein is anticipated by the overall scope of the presently disclosed apparatus and system.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise noted, like elements will be identified by identical numbers throughout all figures. The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

Backpacks have become a form of luggage that has gone beyond school children and hikers. Today, many in the professional world have replaced the briefcase with the backpack. The backpack comes with the advantages of including compartments that permit the user to carry beverages and personal electronic devices such as a laptop computer. Backpacks vary in price range and some high end backpacks can cost over $100. While the main body of the backpack often remains in good condition after months and months of use, the straps on the backpack often wear quickly. The straps typically bear the strain of the weight of the articles carried within the backpack, causing the points of attachments of the straps to the bag, which are fixed, to fail. Also, the user's repetitive wearing of the backpack by placing the straps on and off of the shoulders causes the main body area of the strap to wear and fray. These wear and tear aspects of backpacks having fixed and unreplaceable straps cause the backpack as a whole to appear unattractive and eventually fail.

The interchangeable backpack strap described herein includes the advantage of allowing a user to replace worn or soon to fail straps with new straps. The user may replace the strap with a strap of similar color or shape. In the alternative, the user may change the strap with a strap that fits the setting in which the user will use the backpack. This may include straps of various colors, fabrics, patterns, textures, thickness of padding or any such variation. The changeable strap may include advertising or a corporate logo appropriate for an event the user is attending. The strap may include the logo of a college or professional sports team and the user may change the strap accordingly when attending a game of one such team. The strap may also be formed of a particular unique shape signifying a user interest, such a shape of a baseball bat, a golf club or any shape reflecting an interest of a user. Even straps having abstract shapes may be selected according to the user's interests. Similarly, graphics concerning movies, destinations, theme parks or other popular people, places or brands could be depicted on each interchangeable straps described herein.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the interchangeable backpack strap according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a backpack strap 100 is shown having two ends including opposite ends of a squeeze clip. Clip receiving end 106 is attached to a first end of strap body 102 and clip insertion end 108 is attached to a second end of strap body 102. Clip insertion end 108 is attached to strap body 102 by a strap attached to integrated buckle 104 within clip insertion end 108. Clip insertion end 108 includes wings 109.

A view of a backpack for which the interchangeable backpack strap 100 may be used is shown in FIG. 2. Backpack 200 includes a back side 201. Back side 201 is largely a flat surface as this is the side of the backpack that is placed against the backpack user's back when worn. Backpack 200 includes a pair of clip insertion ends 202 and a pair of clip receiving ends 204. In one embodiment, these clip insertion ends 202 and clip receiving ends 204 are of similar construction to the clip parts shown in FIG. 1 in order to accommodate the counterpart clip part of the interchangeable strap.

In use, clip insertion end 108 of backpack strap 100 is inserted into clip receiving end 204 of backpack 200 to secure strap 100 to backpack 200. Similarly, clip insertion end 202 that is vertically aligned with clip receiving end 204 previously occupied by clip insertion end 108 previously inserted, is inserted into clip receiving end 106 of strap 100. This secures a first strap 100 into place on back of backpack 200. This process is repeated for securing a second strap 100 to the second clip receiving end 204 and clip insertion end 202 pair of backpack 200.

As shown, clip insertion end 108 includes wings 109. Clip insertion ends 202 on backpack 200 similarly include wings 209. When clip insertion end 108 on strap 100 is inserted into clip receiving end 210 of backpack 200, each wing 109 enters a corresponding opening 210 within clip receiving end 204. Similarly, when clip insertion end 202 of backpack 200 is inserted into clip receiving end 106 of strap 100, each wing 209 enters a corresponding opening 110 within clip receiving end 106. When clip insertion end 108 of strap 100 is inserted into clip receiving end 204 of backpack 200, wings 109 are locked into openings 210, securing clip insertion end 108 into clip receiving end 204. The clip insertion end 108 may be released from clip receiving end 204 by simultaneously squeezing wings 109 inwardly, which allows clip insertion end 108 from easily sliding out of clip receiving end 204. Wings 109 may be squeezed inwardly to release strap 100 from backpack 200.

In FIG. 3, an example of an area on which advertisements or logos may be placed on strap 100 is shown. In FIG. 3, a desired logo or advertisement, photo, words or symbols of interest may be placed within display area 420 on strap area 102. Strap area 102 usually includes some padding to improve user comfort. Any such logo, word, phrase, slogan, advertisement or the like may be incorporated into logo area 420. In FIG. 4, straps including various shapes or replicas of items such as a baseball bat 520, a golf putter 530, an abstract shape 540, and a surfboard 550 are shown to signify the source of the straps or various interests of the user.

In another embodiment, the interchangeable straps can include the same connector on each end for connection to the opposite corresponding connector piece on the backpack or luggage items. By example, the strap 102 depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1 can include squeezable clip insertion end 108 having wings 109 on both ends of strap 102. In such an embodiment, the backpack on which two such modified straps 102 would be installed would include two pairs of receiving ends 204 instead of one pair of receiving ends 204 and one pair of clip insertion ends 202. Similarly, the strap 102 depicted in FIG. 1 can include clip receivers 110 on both ends of strap 102. In this embodiment, the backpack on which two such modified straps 102 would be installed would include two pair of clip insertion ends 202 instead of one pair of receiving ends 204 and only one pair of clip insertion ends 202.

Additional modifications or enhancements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of components described herein are intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to serve as limitations of alternative clips within the spirit and scope of the invention.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The presently disclosed system anticipates a wide variety of variations in the basic theme of construction. The examples presented previously do not represent the entire scope of possible usages. They are meant to cite a few of the almost limitless possibilities. One skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments are possible based on combinations of elements taught within the above description.

Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the present system is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the system and apparatus as set forth and defined herein. 

I claim:
 1. A luggage carrying apparatus, comprising: a first interchangeable strap comprising: a first squeezable clip end for insertion into a first clip receiver associated with a personal carrying bag; a first clip receiver end for receipt of a first squeezable clip associated with the personal carrying bag; and a first elongated center span extending between the first squeezable clip end and the first clip receiver end having a first padded interior side and a first customized exterior side; and a second interchangeable strap comprising: a second squeezable clip end for insertion into a second clip receiver associated with the personal carrying bag; a second clip receiver end for receipt of a second squeezable clip associated with the personal carrying bag; and a second elongated center span extending between the second squeezable clip end and the second clip receiver end having a second padded interior side and a second customized exterior side.
 2. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first color and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of the first color.
 3. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first color and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of a second color.
 4. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first pattern and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of the first pattern.
 5. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first pattern and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of a second pattern.
 6. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first textured fabric and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of the first textured fabric.
 7. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first textured fabric and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of a second textured fabric.
 8. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap further comprises a replica of athletic equipment and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap further comprises the replica of athletic equipment.
 9. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap further comprises an image display area.
 10. A luggage carrying apparatus, comprising: a first interchangeable strap comprising: a first squeezable clip end for insertion into a first clip receiver associated with a personal carrying bag; a second squeezable clip end for insertion into a second clip receiver associated with the personal carrying bag; and a first elongated center span extending between the first squeezable clip end and the second squeezable clip end having a first padded interior side and a first customized exterior side; and a second interchangeable strap comprising: a third squeezable clip end for insertion into a third clip receiver associated with the personal carrying bag; a fourth squeezable clip end for insertion into a fourth clip receiver associated with the personal carrying bag; and a second elongated center span extending between the third squeezable clip end and the fourth squeezable clip end having a second padded interior side and a second customized exterior side.
 11. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first color and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of the first color.
 12. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap further comprises an image display area.
 13. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first pattern and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of the first pattern.
 14. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap further comprises a replica of athletic equipment and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap further comprises the replica of athletic equipment.
 15. A luggage carrying apparatus, comprising: a first interchangeable strap comprising: a first clip receiver end for receipt of a first squeezable clip associated with a personal carrying bag; a second clip receiver end for receipt of a second squeezable clip associated with the personal carrying bag; and a first elongated center span extending between the first clip receiver end and the second clip receiver end having a first padded interior side and a first customized exterior side; and a second interchangeable strap comprising: a third clip receiver end for insertion into a third squeezable clip associated with the personal carrying bag; a fourth clip receiver end for insertion into a fourth squeezable clip associated with the personal carrying bag; and a second elongated center span extending between the third clip receiver end and the fourth clip receiver end having a second padded interior side and a second customized exterior side.
 16. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first color and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of the first color.
 17. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap further comprises an image display area.
 18. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first pattern and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of the first pattern.
 19. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap further comprises a replica of athletic equipment and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap further comprises the replica of athletic equipment.
 20. The luggage carrying apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first customizable exterior side of the first interchangeable strap is of a first textured fabric and the second customizable exterior side of the second interchangeable strap is of a second textured fabric. 